Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs Announces 2013 Florida Council on Arts and Culture Officers

Tallahassee, Florida –

The Florida Department of State today announced the officers newly elected to Florida's Council on Arts and Culture for 2013. The elected officers include Glenn Lochrie who was elected to be Chair of the council, Robert Judd who was elected to be Vice Chair, and Kathryn Townsend who was elected to be Secretary. Council officers are nominated and elected by the membership of the Council on an annual basis.

"I look forward to working with this distinguished group of Floridians to help advance arts and culture in our state," said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. "I am confident they have the experience and vision necessary to successfully serve Florida communities by demonstrating how culture builds Florida."

Florida Council on Arts and Culture Officers

Glenn Lochrie

Glenn Lochrie, Chair, of Broward County is a fourth generation South Floridian and has spent his life promoting and participating in the arts in Florida. For more than 15 years he has been selling, appraising and judging fine art created by Floridians. Glenn opened two award winning fine art galleries in Broward County that focused exclusively on the artists of Florida from 1850 to present. Glenn designed a young collectors program that introduced Florida's young professionals to art collecting and has given many lectures on building a Florida art collection. Working with local organizations Glenn has judged art competitions and sponsored local art events and charities. As a volunteer he helped organize an innovative art program and fundraising auction for the historic Bonnet House of Fort Lauderdale. Glenn continues as an art consultant to his many clients and maintains an art gallery website. In 2010, he also started a blog focusing on the arts in Florida that has readers in over 30 countries. Glenn is committed to increasing awareness and support of the unique cultural resources of Florida.

Robert Judd

Robert Judd, Vice Chair, of Broward County is an attorney with Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A., and a graduate of American University and Catholic University where he earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1985.  Mr. Judd serves on the boards of the Community Foundation of Broward County and the Broward Performing Arts Center Foundation. He also serves as President of the Josephine S. Leiser Charitable Foundation and on the Donor Committee of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society.  Mr. Judd is a member of the Broward County Estate Planning and Planned Giving Councils, and has offered estate planning-related seminars to several local cultural organizations.

Kathryn Townsend

Kathryn Townsend, Secretary, of Seminole County is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and Rollins College. A resident of Oviedo, she is a founding member of Helpful Hands, Inc., a 501(c)3 charity which focuses on helping families in crisis. A former public school music teacher, in addition she has served on numerous committees and in leadership roles in Seminole County including President of the Seminole Cultural Arts Council; the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center Board; Leadership Seminole/2006; State of Florida IFAS Regional Committee; Seminole County Cooperative Extension Advisory Board Chair; City of Oviedo Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board and the Seminole County Tourist Development Council. She was a recipient of the 2009 Seminole Regional Chamber of Commerce Professional Women's Award for Art and Culture and is included in the Manchester Who's Who 2005-2006.

About the Florida Council on Arts and Culture

The Florida Council on Arts and Culture is the 15-member advisory council appointed to advise the Secretary of State regarding cultural grant funding and on all matters pertaining to culture in Florida. The Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House, in consultation with the Secretary of State, determine appointments to the Council. The appointments are based on geographic representation, as well as demonstrated history of community service in arts and culture.

About the Division of Cultural Affairs

The Florida Department of State's Division of Cultural Affairs is Florida's legislatively designated state arts agency. The division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, diversity, education, access and economic vitality for Florida's communities.